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UAF photo by Eric Engman.
Jay Ramras, owner of Pike’s Waterfront Lodge, speaks at the Boots and Books Scholarship Dinner on Oct. 23, 2025.

By Megan Bean

When a grease fire broke out in the kitchen at Pike’s Landing on a quiet March afternoon in early 2025, no one could have predicted it would spark a lasting tribute to the student firefighters of the University Fire Department.

“It was terrifying how fast it spread,” said Pike’s owner Jay Ramras. “Chef Jeff Brooks grabbed five fire extinguishers, but by the time the flames reached the ceiling and the roof, it was out of control.”

Within minutes, engines from the University Fire Department arrived. Firefighters quickly cut a hole in the roof and stopped the fire before it could destroy the iconic Fairbanks restaurant.

When Ramras approached them afterward to thank them for their service, he was stunned by how young they all were. These UAF students, as young as 18 years old, balance full-time coursework with 48-hour shifts that have them responding to hundreds of emergency calls each year. 

This elite team may be one of the best-kept secrets in Fairbanks, according to UAF Fire Chief Forrest Kuiper ’99, ’00, ’12.

“Many in the community don’t realize that when they see a University Fire Department truck, it’s full of students,” he said. 

Last year, student firefighters responded to more than 2,300 incidents across a 22-square-mile area. They are on track this year to respond to 2,500 calls, a record high.

“They go to class in a uniform,” Kuiper said. “If there’s a call, they stand up and leave the classroom to respond to that call.”

While the firefighters are paid, they are also responsible for not only the things all students need to be successful but also durable gear like boots. 

Learning about this unique crew inspired Ramras to turn his gratitude into something lasting. Working with UAF Development, he established the Pike’s Landing, Chef Jeff Brooks and Jay Ramras Endowed Scholarship to support students in the UAF fire science program.

“These students need both books and boots to serve our community,” Ramras said. “This scholarship makes it a little easier for them to do both.”

To celebrate the effort during National Firefighter Appreciation Month, Ramras and a crew of volunteers hosted a sold-out fundraiser dinner on Oct. 23, 2025, at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge. The event drew more than 100 community members, alumni and supporters eager to honor the student firefighters who keep Fairbanks safe. It featured student speakers who shared reflections on what it means to serve as firefighters. The program also included a UFD alumni award presentation to Dominic Lazano, who recently retired after more than 25 years serving the Fairbanks Fire Department.

True to Pike’s tradition, the meal sponsored by Pike’s and US Foods featured a hearty buffet capped by Brooks’ famous chocolate chip cookies, a playful nod to the treat that he was baking when the fire broke out.

Holland America Princess contributed $5,000 to the scholarship, along with a pledge to repeat that annual gift for the next three to five years so awards can begin while the endowment grows. Other local businesses and individuals joined in, helping raise more than $68,000 to date, including Ramras’ personal commitment.

“The generosity is incredible,” Kuiper said. “These students dedicate themselves to protecting this community, often while juggling full course loads and tight budgets. This fund will have a long-lasting impact. It's going to make a real difference for our students, now and in the future.”

For Ramras, the effort carries deep personal meaning. Just months after the fire, Pike’s Landing was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a milestone that might never have been reached had the structure not been saved.

“The timing of that fire couldn’t have been worse,” he said. “But because of those students, we didn’t lose everything. They saved not just a building, but a piece of Fairbanks history. The least I can do is help them build their future.”

Megan Bean is associate director of fundraising with the UAF Development office.